Fairfax County General :
Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.

A much-needed redevelopment of the Fairfax Circle Shopping Center located at the intersections of Rt. 50 (Fairfax Blvd) and Rt. 29 (Lee Hwy) is in the planning stages. Plans include a Harris Teeter (secured) 50,000 sq ft grocery store, complemented by other retail uses, with condos above the shops and 2 parking garages.

JK Wrote:
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> A much-needed redevelopment of the Fairfax Circle
> Shopping Center located at the intersections of
> Rt. 50 (Fairfax Blvd) and Rt. 29 (Lee Hwy) is in

No more Peter Pan Buffet? A Harris Teeter would be great in that location, but I would be interested in seeing which stores stay and go. A more seamless connection between the side with Staples/HTO and the smaller retailer stores would be great, especially if they could fix the area in front of Performance Bike and subway which just dangerous for walking if you are not paying attention.

sardines said,"Just what we need, more condos. Next they'll be building high
rises on the median strips'

this comes right on top of the soon to be redeveloped Circle Towers and Metrowest is quite a ways from being fully devloped. traffic will be effing awful in a couple years along Route 29 from Merrifield to Fairfax Circle and beyond.

Kamp Washingtonian Wrote:
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> They are making their first presentation to the
> Fairfax City Council tonight.
>
> Here is a link to the presentation...
>
> http://fairfax.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id
> =2&event_id=148&meta_id=30105

Thanks for providing the link! At first glance this looks like a nice development and I like the mixed-use concept, although I can see how it can create new traffic issues without complimentary road improvements. If they could attract a nice sitdown restaurant (another GAR property to bookend Artie's around the corner?) this might be a nice place.

Yah, thats the sad part. The movie theater (which was the biggest Lowe's in the country for a while) was converted into the HTO store. You can still tell where it was by the part of the shopping center that pops up.

I'm all for redeveloping this shopping center and I know it isn't historic or anything, but it will still be sad to see it finally gone.

That movie theater was awesome. I aw Return of the Jedi and a bunch of other movies there a long time ago. It was enourmous. It will be sad to see all that go, but it does need a change. Maybe Peter Pan Buffet can get torn down as well.

Like a previous poster said, it would be best to knock the whole center down and start over. The center was poorly designed from the beginning with the two sections in an odd configuration. Safeway and Dart Drug were the main original tenants on the higher elevation section. The theater and Giant Food were on the smaller pad. (Giant was where Staples is today). Safeway closed because they opened a larger store at Pan Am Shopping Center. Giant closed due to POOR BUSINESS and this was in the early 70's when times were better in that neighborhood. Giant rarely closed stores unless sales were exceptionally bad, plus there was a Super Giant up the road that had a larger selection. I don't know why Harris Teeter would want to come back to that area. They tore down another old former Safeway (later Pflatzgraff Factory Outlet) on Main Street to build a new store that failed several years ago. No smart national grocer would go there if they do their research. In theory it looks like a killer location, but with the obstacle of the 'circle' - a large chain will not be able to do workable profit. Oh well, let them learn and history will repeat itself.

I wasn't able to find much new content in Google searches, so I emailed the City of Fairfax Community Development & Planning about the Circle Plaza Redevelopment and they indicated there would be more meetings this summer:

As you had mentioned, the City has received an application for the complete redevelopment of the Fairfax Circle Plaza (the shopping center containing Staples, Hudson Trail Outfitters, etc.). The owners of the shopping center are proposing to demolish the existing building and replace it with a 6-story building containing approximately 100,000 sq. ft. of retail space plus 400 rental apartments and a structured parking garage.

In order to be built as proposed, the project will need approval from Fairfax City Council, as well as from Fairfax County (because a portion of the property lies outside of City limits) and from VDOT. Within the City, the project will be reviewed at public hearings in front of the Planning Commission as well as City Council, likely in mid-summer.

The city needs to consider the needs of the city residents (whether drivers, pedestrians or bikers) prior to the needs of commuters or tourists. This development MUST be friendly to drivers, pedestrians and bikers. Think bike lanes, bike stands and wide sidewalks in order to be a good project.

God. You guys are all losers to post on this board haha you all must have no friends so need to find lonely people on here I guess. Power to you all, googled the shopping center to get a store list and came across you guys yapping about dumb shit.

New News 1 Wrote:
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> Shopping Center is now in its last few weeks. Hi
> to apartments, traffic, and some small convenience
> stores under the buildings.

The staples is moving to the strip mall with Total Wine and Chuck E Cheese. The rest of it can burn to the ground. Not sure why they're even taking new leases like the vape shop that is next to the cash for gold store...

God. You guys are all losers to post on this board haha you all must have no friends so need to find lonely people on here I guess. Power to you all, googled the shopping center to get a store list and came across you guys yapping about dumb shit.

Yes, we yap about dumb shit, which makes you the primary topic asshole.

Nicdoot Wrote:
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> Did they keep Dunkin Donuts? I think I hear Ruby
> Tuesdays didn't make it. Are they demolishing now?

Dunkin is still there because it wasn't part of the property; Ruby Tuesday closed in December. I wish they would hurry and start demolishing the buildings because the center looks old and tacky--well, it always did, but it's worse now that everything is vacant.

Anyone know what grocery store is going in? I heard Harris Teeter or Giant; but then again, I heard that a Harris Teeter is supposed to go near the Dunn Loring Metro.

AlmostSpring Wrote:
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>
> Anyone know what grocery store is going in? I
> heard Harris Teeter or Giant; but then again, I
> heard that a Harris Teeter is supposed to go near
> the Dunn Loring Metro.

Imagine if that were true. The value of the property would instantly plummet. The store could be brand new, but would smell like shit and be roach infested within a week. The entire development would end up looking like a third-world ghetto.

AlmostSpring Wrote:
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> Nicdoot Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Did they keep Dunkin Donuts? I think I hear
> Ruby
> > Tuesdays didn't make it. Are they demolishing
> now?
>
> Dunkin is still there because it wasn't part of
> the property; Ruby Tuesday closed in December. I
> wish they would hurry and start demolishing the
> buildings because the center looks old and
> tacky--well, it always did, but it's worse now
> that everything is vacant.
>
> Anyone know what grocery store is going in? I
> heard Harris Teeter or Giant; but then again, I
> heard that a Harris Teeter is supposed to go near
> the Dunn Loring Metro.

I just read that the Harris Teeter at Dunn Loring is "supposed" to open around May.

John Lennon Wrote:
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> >
> > The Lotte is moving from across the street.
>
> Imagine if that were true. The value of the
> property would instantly plummet. The store could
> be brand new, but would smell like shit and be
> roach infested within a week. The entire
> development would end up looking like a
> third-world ghetto.

I don't think Lotte could afford the rent of a new store in a new shopping center. Places like that seem to thrive in "has been" grocery stores that nobody else wants. That's what happened in Centreville. First it was a Shoppers Food, then sat vacant. Then, another International market opened up in there and operated for 6 to 10 years and trashed the place. After sitting vacant for a few years, Lotte then renovated and opened their new store there.

Back to the Fairfax Circle shopping center. I wonder if they're trying to get the rat population down in the old Peter Pan buffet location before they demolish the building? If they don't, the rats will scram towards the Dunkin Donuts and the Chick-Fil-A building across the street.

Gerrymeandererz Wrote:
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> Back to the Fairfax Circle shopping center. I
> wonder if they're trying to get the rat population
> down in the old Peter Pan buffet location before
> they demolish the building? If they don't, the
> rats will scram towards the Dunkin Donuts and the
> Chick-Fil-A building across the street.

You moron. Rats live wherever people live. You don't see them because they don't like you. Can't blame them for that, but they don't like decent people either. They still live in their neighborhoods though.

AlmostSpring Wrote:
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>I was never very happy with that Ruby Tuesdays and I lived just a few blocks away. The link above says Harris Teeter is moving in. Will be strange to see all the changes.
>
> Dunkin is still there because it wasn't part of
> the property; Ruby Tuesday closed in December. I
> wish they would hurry and start demolishing the
> buildings because the center looks old and
> tacky--well, it always did, but it's worse now
> that everything is vacant.
>
> Anyone know what grocery store is going in? I
> heard Harris Teeter or Giant; but then again, I
> heard that a Harris Teeter is supposed to go near
> the Dunn Loring Metro.

I heard that Staples moved to old CVS location on Main and Pickett. Auto parts place moved to the hookah bar place across from Harley Davidson. Did any other businesses move? That old classic car making place was cool. Wouldn't really miss that outfitters store too expensive. Radio shack I think was already out of business as was probably that Korean dentist. And those Asian restaurants should have been closed long ago with all the health code violations I saw.

Nicdoot Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> AlmostSpring Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >I was never very happy with that Ruby Tuesdays
> and I lived just a few blocks away. The link above
> says Harris Teeter is moving in. Will be strange
> to see all the changes.

Nothing is set in stone until it's set in stone. The developer and the City would like to end up with a grocery as part of the project. Harris Teeter has been aggressive in its expansion into this area. Draw your own conclusions.

John Lennon Wrote:
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> Lotte Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > AlmostSpring Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > >
> > > Anyone know what grocery store is going in? I
> > > heard Harris Teeter or Giant; but then again,
> I
> > > heard that a Harris Teeter is supposed to go
> > near
> > > the Dunn Loring Metro.
> >
> >
> > The Lotte is moving from across the street.
>
> Imagine if that were true. The value of the
> property would instantly plummet. The store could
> be brand new, but would smell like shit and be
> roach infested within a week. The entire
> development would end up looking like a
> third-world ghetto.

You don't know what you are talking about. The Lotte has only three years left on its latest lease extension, wants to expand but can't in its current location. The original plans for the development included 53,000 sq ft of grocery space because that was what Giant and Safeway were planning for replacement stores. See: Kings Park shopping center. But now both chains have decided that they need closer to 75,000 sq ft to successfully compete, especially with Walmart, so the new shopping center is no longer an option for them. While the tear down will happen to reduce carrying costs, no new construction will begin without anchor tenants signed.

Pickastore Wrote:
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> What stores build at 53,000 sq ft? Trader Joe's,
> Whole Foods? There is already a Safeway close by
> in PanAm. I guess they will keep us in suspense.

Publix.

May skip over Richmond and go straight to Fairfax on the march North to their ultimate goal of NJ.

Do you know Todd Jones? Wrote:
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> Pickastore Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What stores build at 53,000 sq ft? Trader
> Joe's,
> > Whole Foods? There is already a Safeway close
> by
> > in PanAm. I guess they will keep us in
> suspense.
>
>
> Publix.
>
> May skip over Richmond and go straight to Fairfax
> on the march North to their ultimate goal of NJ.
>
> Competes with Wegmans and Harris Teeter.

City Council meeting last night. The project has no grocery store, never did.
Harris Teeter is a NO. Giant - in talks with Combined Properties. Decision needs to be made in next month and half or it's a dud.

I used to love going to the Peter Pan buffet. I could fill my belly full of their 2 star food and then afterwards one of the busgirls would take me out back and let me fill her belly with my secret sauce! $20 and down the hatch my swimmers would go!

Don't believe everything Wrote:
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> City Council meeting last night. The project has
> no grocery store, never did.
> Harris Teeter is a NO. Giant - in talks with
> Combined Properties. Decision needs to be made in
> next month and half or it's a dud.

A Giant? Geez, this property hasn't even started construction yet and it's already not living up to expectations. It's going to be harder to lease the other spaces to nicer retail and restaurants when potential renters find out the main customer draw is a run-of-the-mill grocery store. I guess it will just end up being the PanAm Center with apartments on top.

No Surprise Wrote:
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> Don't believe everything Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > City Council meeting last night. The project
> has
> > no grocery store, never did.
> > Harris Teeter is a NO. Giant - in talks with
> > Combined Properties. Decision needs to be made
> in
> > next month and half or it's a dud.
>
>
> A Giant? Geez, this property hasn't even started
> construction yet and it's already not living up to
> expectations. It's going to be harder to lease the
> other spaces to nicer retail and restaurants when
> potential renters find out the main customer draw
> is a run-of-the-mill grocery store. I guess it
> will just end up being the PanAm Center with
> apartments on top.

What is ironic about all of this is that the Staples building was originally a Giant. Opened in the early 1970s and only lasted five or so years before closing. Safeway was at the circle too. Arched roof building. I think the bike shop still had the original Safeway ceiling visible.

No clue Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> John Lennon Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Lotte Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > AlmostSpring Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > >
> > > > Anyone know what grocery store is going in?
> I
> > > > heard Harris Teeter or Giant; but then
> again,
> > I
> > > > heard that a Harris Teeter is supposed to
> go
> > > near
> > > > the Dunn Loring Metro.
> > >
> > >
> > > The Lotte is moving from across the street.
> >
> > Imagine if that were true. The value of the
> > property would instantly plummet. The store
> could
> > be brand new, but would smell like shit and be
> > roach infested within a week. The entire
> > development would end up looking like a
> > third-world ghetto.
>
> You don't know what you are talking about. The
> Lotte has only three years left on its latest
> lease extension, wants to expand but can't in its
> current location. The original plans for the
> development included 53,000 sq ft of grocery space
> because that was what Giant and Safeway were
> planning for replacement stores. See: Kings Park
> shopping center. But now both chains have decided
> that they need closer to 75,000 sq ft to
> successfully compete, especially with Walmart, so
> the new shopping center is no longer an option for
> them. While the tear down will happen to reduce
> carrying costs, no new construction will begin
> without anchor tenants signed.

So the news that Harris Teeters is not going in, Giant is a maybe, and the funding isn't there, but the mayor has ok'd that they start demo on the pads on the site keep it in play? Funding for the project doesn't look promising, from what I hear.

Don't believe everything Wrote:
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> So the news that Harris Teeters is not going in,
> Giant is a maybe, and the funding isn't there, but
> the mayor has ok'd that they start demo on the
> pads on the site keep it in play? Funding for the
> project doesn't look promising, from what I hear.

That empty property is an eyesore. I hope it doesn't sit like that long.

Still nothing Wrote:
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> And nothing is happening at Fairfax Circle ...
> still.
> Does anyone have update? Financing at risk of
> being pulled in June which was well before the
> latest upset of losing a mayor to his vices.

*They* say construction will start later this year. Prior, *they* said construction would start earlier this year. Maybe, take what *they* say with a grain of salt. Iodized, not kosher.

Big things are happening in Fairfax. You may have noticed, just around the corner from your new luxury townhome at Metro Row, heavy machinery gathers:

Say goodbye to the old, and hello to the new Scout on the Circle.

…Fairfax Circle, that is.

Construction is expected to begin on a new mixed-use development within the city of Fairfax later this year. When complete, Scout on the Circle will feature 400 luxury apartment homes, as well as 28 thousand square feet of small shop retail space and 54 thousand square feet of grocer space. Residents and visitors alike will enjoy convenient and easy access to Route 50; close proximity to the Vienna Metrorail station, regional bike trails, and I-66; two spacious parking garages and ample lot parking; a large plaza, an active streetscape, and an overall bright, inviting atmosphere.

Scout on the Circle promises to infuse a bit of life back into the Fairfax Circle neighborhood, with a breathtaking intentional community that effortlessly combines the perks of city life with that sense of suburban ease northern Virginians have come to know and expect.

The project, for which construction is expected to begin later this year, will cost $160 million.

Don't you people ever learn? Every significant development ends up taking longer and costing more than what was originally forecast. It's a flaw in MS Project. It doesn't add the requisite time and money padding to what people put in as their initial estimates. Be patient though, and soon enough you will have the beautiful new Fairfax Circle that you've always wanted.

tvTwF Wrote:
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> https://metrorownv.com/blog/scout-on-the-circle-pr
> omises-to-put-the-luxe-in-luxury/
>
> Scout on the Circle Promises to Put the Luxe in
> Luxury
>
> August 15, 2016
>
> Big things are happening in Fairfax. You may have
> noticed, just around the corner from your new
> luxury townhome at Metro Row, heavy machinery
> gathers...

Let me interpret. By "heavy machinery" they mean homeless and illegals. The only thing 'gathering' is dust on this project. What a joke - it's fucking November. The only thing Fairfax City does consistently well is bring down the value of the surrounding areas. This fenced-off eyesore truly compliments all the section 8, dilapidated and foreclosed structures in FC. Come see NOVA's own Detroit! What an utter shit hole.

The demographics of the area have changed - more Hispanics. It's an older area.

Not surprised they can't get a Shoppers, Giant or Safeway to commit.

There is already a Safeway up the hill on 29, and a Shoppers at Rt 236 and Pickett.

I don't think there is a Giant nearby.

Harris Teeter seems to be the go to Grocer in these new mixed developments.

They could put a Whole Foods there, but would have to bring in many yuppies to the residential developed part of the project. There is not enough yuppy development nearby to add many customers and it may be risky to assume they'll be enough with the new development. Plus, there is a yuppy grocery store - Trader Joe's - already at 236 and Picket.{They could put in an International Foods store but the white libs. who control Fairfax City govt probably don't want one there.

BTW: I liked the Rubby Tuesday's that used to be there.

Note: those International Foods Grocery stores do kick ass business, but I am sure certain neighborhoods lobby against them.

In Annandale, there is a vacant space on Columbia Pike where Bloom used to be. It is a prime location for an International Foods Grocery Store. The closest International Foods store is run by Koreans, off of Heritage Drive, where an old Giant used to be. There is a huge Hispanic population between Heritage and Columbia Pike. But, yet the old Bloom site has sat vacant for three or four years. There are older single family home neighborhoods nearby. Also, Hispanics that now go to Giant and Safeway would flock to it. It would do a killing. The shopping center would go 3rd world though. But, it may make the Annandale Safeway Shopping center a little less 3rd world, so that would be good.